Adirondack Family Time™

The Adirondack Ice Bowl near The Woods Inn, Inlet My family and I’ve played some rousing games of pond hockey. Since none of us have ever played on a team, we are a bit lackadaisical with the rules. Camaraderie ties with competition every time.  That certainly seems to be the case when it comes to the Adirondack Ice Bowl in Inlet. Camaraderie is what pulls people back the shores of Fourth Lake every year, but it’s the fun competition that keep people in the game.  Adirondack Ice Bowl: January 29-30, 2016 at The Woods Inn, Inlet The Adirondack Ice headquarters is located at the historic Woods Inn where spectators and competitors can warmup in a variety of ways from Sky Box viewing to a lakeside pavilion. The two-day event (with Sunday held in reserve for inclement weather) starts today, Thursday, January 28 with registration at the  Screamen Eagle  and a captain’s meeting.

My family tries to attend Ottawa’s Wi nterlude , which starts this weekend January 29-February 15, 2016, each year to skate on the canal.  From end to end the whole maintained portion is about 5.0-miles. We’ve rented sleighs, stopped for picnics, and enjoyed hot chocolate at one of the stands. Now Lake Placid has a smaller version of the Rideau Canal, with less fuss.  I’ve skated various segments of the 2-mile weaving path over a frozen Mirror Lake a few times now and with each opportunity I see people utilizing the ice track differently. Two young hockey players passing the puck to each other the length of the track, certainly put me to shame. A dog the size of a small stuffed animal pulled another woman around. Other people have walked around the lake without skates, sticking to the unplowed edge. I love how it isn’t for just one purpose. Everyone has managed to make the place another way to interact with winter sports.

 I Have A Dream ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.  " I have a dream that little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,  but by the content of their character.  "

Our tradition is to take down the Christmas tree on Three Kings' Day (January 6). The kings have been traveling around our house, searching for the Creche. When they arrive we will all celebrate with bread and hot chocolate while packing up ornaments.  There are healthier versions of sweetbread but I feel the treat of of this bread combined with the sadness of taking down our tree is worth the extra crunches.   I hide a few pieces of chocolate in the bread. Traditionally a porcelain doll (symbolizing the baby Jesus) is used and the person finding it has to throw the next year's party. In our house who ever finds a piece of candy gets a special wish. Surprisingly enough each of my children usually find the lucky gift.  Three Kings' Bread Recipe

By Diane Chase Here is the cover for the 2nd Adirondack Family Time™ guidebook. This guide for the Adirondack Champlain Valley and other Adirondack Family Time guides can be found at Barnes and Nobles , Amazon and a local book store near you! This guidebook for the Champlain Valley from Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga covers the towns of Plattsburgh, Ausable Forks, Elizabethtown, Keeseville, Willsboro, Essex, Westport, Port Henry, Crown Point and Ticonderoga. The four-season guide has  over 300 activities 58   easy hikes  and walks 33 swimming areas and waterfalls 30 museums 46 playgrounds/parks 75 trivia questions 15 inside or nature games  40 ice cream parlors and bakeries with sleigh rides, snow shoe trails, farmers markets, performing arts and more © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Wilmington, Keen

We don't leave just cookies and milk out for Santa. We want to make sure the reindeer have enough energy to travel around the world in one crazy night. We are always looking for ways to get Santa's reindeer off the roof and into our backyard. Honestly, I believe that the reindeer are a bit intimidated by all of the wild deer. One way to bring the reindeer a little closer would be to set off some of their favorite foods. Since reindeer are similar to regular deer, we made a mix that would be good for the reindeer, birds and whitetail deer. Please make sure you sprinkle reindeer food only on your own property because it will attract other wildlife such as birds and larger mammals. Also check on your area regulations on domesticated animals or wildlife, including Santa's reindeer. First to make sure you don't put out items for animals that kill, choke or harm them in any way. That includes processed sugars, glitter or plastics. Reindeer Food Recipe

My daughter was home sick today so she helped me make our latest Christmas felt ornament. We created two versions, one out of wool felt and the other out of paper. The felt version is a bit complicated, but not so challenging that my 11-year-old with a stomach bug couldn't complete it. The paper version is a great option for younger children who can use scissors and glue. Parents may still want to lend a hand, because it's fun to make together!

I use 'holiday lights" all year long. It isn't any wonder that I have to replace those strings of lights with regularity. One pesky missing light and the whole string makes my house look like it has a black eye. If you have noticed, similar " The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" that  " there's a  light  on this  tree  that won't  light  on one side." please DO NOT just throw away your strands of lights.  Below are some places near and far that recycle lights. Some even offer a discount on the next string of holiday lights. Now doesn't that put you in the holiday spirit!  As we start decorating for the holidays you also may take notice if your string of twinkle lights are no longer working, please don't throw the lights in the trash. Look for places that can reuse and recycle!  HOLIDAYLED , out of Elms Grove, WI, recycles old Christmas lights and gives you a 15% discount on your next order. You do have to pay for shipping.  Ac

How to make a paper chain: Materials : paper*, scissors, pen/pencil, Adirondack Family Time Christmas Template The paper can be as heavy or fancy as you wish. I used the comics as it was colorful and we could dig out something from our recycle bin. Kids of all ages can do this indoor activity. I made the template a bit large so that little hands could help with cutting. This is a good exercise for eye-hand coordination.

Mt Van Hoevenberg  Distance  = 2-2-miles Vertical ascent = 799' Elevation = 2, 940'  Hiking the Adirondack High Peaks isn't always an option, but hitting the trail for a beautiful day hike can always be squeezed into our agenda  When my children were younger we looked for those hikes where they could finish on their own with a feeling of accomplishment   The children are now able to take longer and longer hikes. For me it is with great pride and slight sadness that my daughter no longer requests the baby carrier.    She enjoys being on the trail and boosts my own confidence by elevating me to superhero status. If she feels lost, I find her. If she cries, I heal her. I open my backpack and provide her with ointments to sooth her ills and snacks to appease her hunger.               I am attempting to extend our trips with the eventual goal being a backpacking trip into the woods. Not like our first camping trip where I spent more time on the road th

View of Rocky Peak Ridge from Mt Gilligan, New Russia, NY We are a family that is always on the go. I don’t over schedule my children, but they are involved, active kids. Though we may be going in different directions a lot of the time, one activity that always gives us a positive attitude adjustment is to get outside. Since we are such a busy family, we’ve always migrated to those shorter hikes that we can squeeze in on our way to another activity. (I also find these shorter hikes are a great way to see a beautiful view and still be back in time to have a nice dinner or take in a show.)  Adirondack Family Time: Champlain Valley Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga:58 easy hikes, 33 swimming holes, 300 seasonal activities, snowshoe/ski trails, maps trivia and more!  Mount Gilligan in New Russia (near Elizabethtown, NY) is just one of 58 easy hikes around the Adirondack Champlain Valley from my second Adirondack Family Time guidebooks. With an elevation of 1,421’ and a vertical ascen

An easy hike or walk along the access road to Lake Lila Exploring Lake Lila: The William C. Whitney Wilderness Area Everyone that I know who has spent any time at the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area comes back expounding about the beauty of Lake Lila. With all the autumn colors nearing peak, it is our turn to explore the lake named for William Seward Webb’s wife, Lila Vanderbilt Webb. The drive into the Lake Lila is beautiful and a bit isolated. We are fortunate to arrive at a time of year when it’s not the height of camping season. There are a few cars in the parking area, but I’m told that if the Lake Lila parking area hits its 30-car capacity, people must drive back out the 5.6-mile dirt road to park on Sabattis Rd., or come back another time. Lake Lila Rd. is bordered by private land and parking is only available at the parking area. The trail register is located right at the parking area. There is a Canoe Access Trail (0.3-miles) available for an easy walk right to

Henry Woods gazebo offers trail map and covered seating near the parking area Henry's Woods Trails in Lake Placid (NY) is one of my favorite places to take family and friends for a short easy hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski. It is also the place where I go to walk my dog, trail run and just relax. Henry's Woods is a great place for all level hiker and its the perfect place for people of all ages and abilities. There is one main trail loop with three offshoots from it. It is truly a great community preserve. The Connector Trail:   (green marker) is 0.3-mile Loop trail: (darker green marker) 2.0-miles The Loop trail has moderate elevation gain for this maintained community preserve.  Plateau trail : (yellow marker) .09 miles The Plateau trail is accessed via the Loop trail. At the junction between the Connector trail and Loop trail bear left onto the Loop trail. At about 0.5-mile, turn right at the yellow marker for the first access to the Plat